The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Johnson Elleh for allegedly creating and circulating a false video claiming there was a kidnapping and bandit attack along the Owode–Idiroko axis of the state.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who said the video was carefully investigated after it went viral on social media.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the content was entirely fabricated and designed to create panic among residents.
Authorities also confirmed that no kidnapping or bandit-related incident occurred in the area as suggested in the video.
Babaseyi explained that detectives swiftly launched an inquiry after the video surfaced, subjecting it to verification and digital analysis. The investigation later led to the identification and arrest of Johnson Elleh, who featured in the video.
The suspect was reportedly found to have deliberately staged and shared the misleading content for attention and online engagement.
Police said his actions had the potential to cause fear, disrupt public order, and undermine confidence in the state’s security system.
During interrogation, Johnson Elleh allegedly admitted to producing the video, stating that his intention was to attract social media traction and increase visibility.
The police further noted that this is not the first such case in the state. Recently, another individual, identified as Qawiyu Oloyede, was arrested for circulating a fake video alleging a bandit attack in the Atan-Ota area. He reportedly confessed to creating the content to grow his online following.
The Command condemned the rising trend of false security alerts and warned that individuals involved in spreading misinformation would face prosecution. It stressed that such actions constitute a serious threat to public peace and will not be tolerated.
Residents were urged to disregard unverified reports and rely only on official communication channels for security updates. The police reassured the public that Ogun State remains safe and that efforts are ongoing to maintain law and order.
Investigation into the case has been concluded, and the suspect is expected to be charged in court.
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